600https://ur.com/9ePTyp8.png
Ironically the last instalment Ive watched in the Fujiko Mine series is Jigens movie this is ironic because I watched Goemons as soon as I finished Part 1 and Goemons is the final film. Who needs to consistency anyway? Considering Goemon Ishikawas Spray of Blood is one of my favourite movies my hopes were high for Jigens Gravestone and all I knew going in was the premise.
It appears that Takeshi Koike only directs anime that absolute ooze style from Redline to his stylish character designs in Fujiko Mine and now his perfect imitation of the feel of Yamamotos Lupin III Jigens Grave Stone felt like yet another piece of endless sakuga in how stunningly it was animated. The character designs remain the same as they did in the Fujiko series and the smooth Jazzy OST yet again assisted in creating the Noir setting. As is trademark with Lupin III we got a brilliant looking car chasehttps://streamable.com/orbov along with the rest of the fantastic animation.https://streamable.com/r5jye Yet again the franchise succeeds in being more visually impressive than it ever really needed to be and it makes for an exceptional experience for the eyes.
The plot of the show is rather simple. A Price is put on Jigens head resulting in him and Lupin exploring why he is being hunted and coming face to face with a highly skilled assassin. Most of the sniper and general gun wielding action is intense and well shot huehue making for a genuinely believable sense of danger for Lupin and Jigen. I did have major issues with the role of Fujiko in the movie however. While it isnt uncommon for the Lupin gang to randomly turn up in affairs of one another it felt somewhat unnatural considering the serious tone of the film. She ultimately provided the answers that Lupin was looking for and while this didnt remove the deductive aspect it still felt contrived to a certain extent. The conclusion was fantastic with a tense face off and outwitting attempt by Lupin making for an overall solid narrative if somewhat rough around the edges.
The awkward presence of Fujiko unfortunately dragged the film down and while it is still fantastic its hard to call it masterful due to the impact that her Deus ex Machina had on the political intrigue the movie had created in what appeared to be a pseudo1970s Germany. Lupin III: Daisuke Jigens Gravestone made for some awesome gunslinging action with interesting political manipulation appearing in the background unfortunately the reliance on a Deus ex Machina prevented the movie from being anything truly special.
80
/100